Is BJP taking Kollywood’s help to gain foothold in state?

Unlike his reticent subordinates in Tamil Nadu who were non-committal on the party going after the ‘Badshah’ of Indian cinema, Amit Shah has put to rest all speculations about their hobnobbing with Rajinikanth by publicly declaring that their doors were always open for the actor. The announcement has already taken excitement to frenzying heights in the state politics.  It is likely to get worse or better (based on whichever side of political alignment) in the coming days, if Rajinikanth calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the grapevine suggests. 

Nevertheless, Rajinikanth would neither be the first nor the last actor BJP gets on board. Since storming to power in 2014, BJP has been continually wooing actors to the party here. Director Gangai Amaran, Gayatri Raguram, Vijayakumar, power star Srinivasan, former DMK MP Napolean, directors Kasturi Raja and Visu are among the actor turned politicians who have joined the BJP. That Gangai Amaran was even made the party candidate in the cancelled RK Nagar by-election would only encourage a few other superannuated actors to explore their options in the state. 

Significantly, even while making attempts to woo Rajinikanth, the state BJP has established contacts with a prominent comedian in the state, who had also called on Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan here recently. 

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said that having Kollywood stars on board would help us reach out to people in a better way. “But that alone is not enough, we are strengthening our base by involving in organisational work. I have met 700 lower level functionaries personally to strengthen our foothold,” she said.